About the Birman

Mystical, magical, enchanting with soulful blue eyes, a
gentle demeanor, and the best friend you ever had…
this describes the Birman cat.

The Birman beginnings are shrouded in legend and mystery.
There are numerous folk tales and legends describing how the
Birman obtained its unique colorings and markings that offer
explanations, while the real Birman history keeps everyone
guessing. What we do know is the Birman arrived in the USA in
1959 and registered with CFA in 1967; most Birmans in our
country can be traced to England, France, Australia, and Germany.

The countries that nourished the Birman cat have imparted their
national traits to this mysterious breed: the French, their flair
for drama; the Gallic, their loving and affectionate nature; the
English, their dignity and reserve; the Germans, their patience
and practicality; the Australians, their adventurous spirit; and
the Americans, their ingenuity. Add a touch of Far Eastern
inscrutability, stir them together, and what you get is a Birman.

Like all color point cats, Birman kittens are born all white and
develop their color as they mature. They come in a rainbow
of colors, including seal, blue, lilac, chocolate, red, cream,
and tortie. All these colors can be either the traditional solid
pattern or the dramatic lynx pattern. A special and unique
feature of the Birman is their beautiful white paws.

Ideally, the Birman is a medium-sized cat, strongly built cat
with striking eyes, round face, and a Roman-shaped nose
which all result in a pleasing expression.

The Birman fur is a single-length (no undercoat) soft, silky,
and lush coat; they have a longer ruff around the neck and
a fluffy tail. Their coats do not mat, and they require a
minimum amount of grooming.

The Birman is a hearty, healthy cat that does not reach full
maturity until approximately 3 years of age.
Because of its exceptionally sweet nature, the Birman is easy
to handle and makes an ideal pet. The Birman is sociable,
gentle, quiet, loving, and companionable. They love to be
with people and are playful and desirous of attention. They
are social with both people and other animals. Because the
Birman is patient, even-tempered and tolerant, they make an
excellent choice for families with children and/or other pets.

Birmans are relatively quiet cats; most are soft spoken and
refined, with soft chirp-like voices.

Birmans are very helpful; they love helping you make beds,
load the dishwasher, fold laundry, read the newspaper, and
work on the computer. They are a willing participant in
whatever you do. You will never be alone with a Birman in
your home.

Choosing a new kitten is an important decision for the entire
family. It will be a commitment for the life of the cat. Most
Birman breeders have a waiting list for their kittens, so be
prepared to wait to get the kitten of your dreams. Usually
kittens will be ready for their permanent homes between
the ages of 12 to 16 weeks. Birman babies are learning life
experiences from their mother, their siblings, and their people
during this early time in their life, which helps to produce welladjusted,
loving kittens. During this time, they will mature
physically and have the social stability needed for their new
home and life. Keeping your kitten/cat indoors, neutering/
spaying, and providing a loving home and proper veterinary
care are essential to keep your Birman happy and healthy.

The Birman is unconditional love in a fur coat and will bring
pleasure and happiness to your home and family.
For more information, please contact the Breed Council Secretary for this breed.